Choosing to stay at home and raise your own children is becoming more and more popular these days. But, it isn't always the mom who has that privilege. An increasing number of dads are becoming the stay-at-home parent while their wives head off to work five days a week.

The stay-at-home dads that eventually make the decision to go back to work are stumbling upon problems finding a job. While some of this is due to lack of keeping skills updated, some of it has to do with employers looking down on a man that was willing to give up a career to raise his own kids. Our society today just does not understand how a man would want to stay at home instead of furthering his career. One has to wonder if this is discrimination.

Men have always been looked upon as the "bread winner" in a family, and the strong, decisive type. But, with woman gaining greater salaries in many job fields, it often boils down to who will stay at home with the kids based on who is making more money and needs to continue to work.

The number of stay-at-home dads is growing to the point where nearly 160,000 men are their children's caretaker during the day. This number is still very low compared to stay-at-home moms. It appears that many more men would be willing to step up to this status, if it weren't for the snickers and stares that they receive from others.

Not only do dads have trouble reentering the workforce, but once they do, they usually have a hard time communicating with their co-workers. They receive little support on the job.

So, what is a dad to do? It is suggested that men hold up their heads and be proud of the decision they have made to stay at home to raise their children. If men are able to shed a positive light onto this concept, more people would accept it. In other words, make no excuses for what you decided to do.

There are plenty of message boards set up for stay-at-home dads where they can communicate with like-minded men. They are able to share opinions and advice on raising kids, and can also gain knowledge from other dads who have reentered the workforce. These message boards have brought a community of dads together who otherwise may not have had anyone to talk to.